According to a new "Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation" (MAPI) report,  the U.S. global trade deficit in manufactures rose by 12 percent ($48 billion) in 2011, while the Chinese surplus soared by 23 percent, to $125 billion.

As Ernest H. Preeg, MAPI Senior Advisor for International Trade and Finance explained,

“The increase in the U.S. deficit equated to a net trade-related loss of 200,000 to 400,000 manufacturing jobs, and a correspondingly lower level of production. The immediate question is what will happen in 2012 and, in particular, will the trade imbalances continue to grow, with substantial adverse impact on U.S. manufacturing jobs and production? The answer is unclear, but not promising for the United States.”

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